One of the most valuable benefits available to veterans is also one of the least understood and most underutilized—the Aid and Attendance Pension Program. This program may allow an eligible veteran to receive over $25,000 a year for medical expenses and long-term care. The eligible veteran’s widowed spouse can receive more than $13,500 a year. Better yet, this money can be used to pay children, siblings, and other extended family members for in-home care. The money can also be used to cover the cost of professional care in the home, assisted living, and nursing home care. The Aid and Attendance Pension Program allows eligible veterans or widowed spouses to remain independent for as long as possible, receive the care he or she needs, and protect family assets against the extraordinarily high cost of long-term care.

Tragically, many veterans and widowed spouses who are eligible for this valuable benefit do not receive it. How could we as a nation, indebted to the sacrifices of our greatest heroes, allow this to happen? Several reasons: many veterans are simply unaware of the benefit; the application is complicated and even the slightest mistake filling it out can lead to rejection; and the approval process can take a very long time. Many veterans just give up in frustration.

You need to know that the vast majority of applications for Aid and Attendance are rejected initially, even when the veteran or widowed spouse is indeed eligible. Our attorneys Carol Applegate and Michael Andrews, are both accredited by the Veterans Administration to assist veterans in obtaining Aid and Attendance benefits. We can help you with the application, guide you through the approval process and appeal your claim even if you have been denied benefits in the past.

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eligibility requirement for the aid and attendance program

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Here is a brief summary of the eligibility requirements for Aid and Attendance:

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1. The veteran must have served 90 days or more of active duty, with at least one of these days served during wartime

2. The veteran must have received a discharge other than dishonorable

3. The veteran or widowed spouse must have medical expenses and/or care needs

4. Applicants must pass an asset and income test

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If you have met the first three of these requirements, you may be wondering about the fourth, the asset and income test. Perhaps you are worried that you have too many assets or too much income to qualify? We may be able to structure your estate in such a way that you can pass this test and qualify for the benefit.

Given the high cost of long-term care, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to contact us for a consultation to discuss your eligibility for this valuable benefit. We deeply appreciate your service to our country and hope that you will allow us to be of service to you in return.